Chapter Text
He hates feeling sick like this.
It was gross, and even the slightest movements could make him retch like a sick dog.
The others were somewhat worried, but they say nothing. Gamora told him to take it easy once, assuming his Terran side was unable to fight off some kind of alien sickness. Rocket had threatened him to get better, promising to punch Peter's lights out if he puked within two feet of him. Groot said nothing, but would gaze at Peter with concern in his dark little eyes from time to time, when he wasn't swaying like an animatronic, in a perfect pattern of back and forth, with a little smile plastered on his face.
Drax had stayed behind on Knowhere with Ronan. It was somewhat of a stealth mission, and Ronan and Drax did not know how to be stealthy in battle. Nor did they want to be stealthy in battle. That left Gamora, Peter, Rocket, and tiny Groot to go. Groot didn't have to be there, but the thigh-high, dancing tree went wherever Rocket went. Always.
They'd been gone for over a month, Peter had kept track of time, and he was more than eager to get home.
For the longest time this ship, the Milano, had been his home. That was before the Guardians of the Galaxy came about. The rag-tag team of assholes who have actually done more crime than acts of heroism and good. They made their base inside of the semi-abandoned 'planet' of Knowhere. Whatever residents were left after the mass destruction that was caused eventually left due to the constant danger they were put in by having the Guardians living on their planet.
Only few remained, people who owned businesses and such. People who trained to become part of a defensive army for Knowhere, should they fall under serious attack. Some of them even becoming agents for the guardians. Even the Ravagers had a small base on Knowhere.
It was good that they made it to Knowhere safely, having Cosmo, heir operations manager, guide them in as soon as they were close enough. Gamora had piloted the Milano, while Peter sat in the chair to her right, legs pulled up to his chest and chin resting on his knees. He'd been unusually quiet recently, but if any of them noticed, they left him alone about it. He was sick, obviously, but there was no use in telling him to take care of himself. Peter was stubborn. He wouldn't ever receive any kind of professional medical treatment unless he was dying. Really, he only trusting himself, Ronan, and Rocket to patch him up after he was injured. Gamora was always too rough with him and never appreciated his constant chattering. Sometimes he talked 24/7. She also didn't appreciate his jokes. He thought they were hilarious...
Peter looked up when a glowing light became apparent on the dashboard/control console of the Milano. Through the ship's windshield, he could see the tower-like structure in the center of the planet. The Guardians' home and base. The newest building on Knowhere. And the tallest. It stuck straight up, reaching high above everything else. And hovering over the building, the giant, glowing Guardians of the Galaxy emblem sticking straight up through the middle, visible from every angle.The emblem wasn't very creative. It was an adaptation of the Ravager's logo; consisting of the Orange-Yellow flame, but instead of a red mark on the bottom right, the Guardians' emblem bore a neon star in the center, similar to that of the Nova. The two groups of people who helped them get where they are.
As soon as Gamora landed the Milano, Peter exited as quickly as humanly possible, and made his way inside, not a word uttered from him.
Rocket and Groot shared a look. The raccoon shrugged, but followed after, the small tree trailing behind him in an almost-skipping motion, little tree-arms swaying back and forth as he bounded after his furry buddy.
They'd found it a bit strange that Peter hadn't said a thing. Not even an "it's good to be back home," like the Terran usually shouted when his feet hit the floor of Knowhere. Or rather, the landing pad of the tower.
They had found it even more strange when Peter didn't greet Ronan like they'd expected him to. He didn't run and jump into his lover's arms. He didn't tackle him down in a hug. He didn't even say hello.
Instead, he ran past Ronan and locked himself away in the closest restroom.
Rocket shrugged. "Maybe he's just sick again?" He looked up to Gamora, who nodded.
"Sick?" Ronan asked.
"Yeah...he's been sick for the last two weeks or so. Maybe he caught somethin' during one of our stops. You know Terrans ain't that strong when it comes to sicknesses."
"But his other half...it has prevented him from falling ill to very harmful sicknesses," the Kree responded. He still looked a bit hurt, though. He hadn't seen Peter in almost two months, and the man had blew him off...
It was a long while before they heard anything from Peter. That had actually been worrying.
The Terran quietly padded forward, glancing at each member as they relaxed in the main room. Luckily they hadn't noticed him or bombarded him with questions.
Again, he scanned the room quickly. His eyes fell on Rocket. The alien raccoon was the closest thing they had to a doctor. (Which wasn't entirely true. They had a full on medical team, should anything go wrong, but Peter would never willingly go to them.) Rocket was intelligent, too. Probably smarter than all of them.
"Rocket."
His voice was soft, but they all turned to look at him.
Quickly, he held his hand up, silencing them. They'd all gotten up to move toward him, though, causing him to take a few steps back.
"Just Rocket…c-c'mere..."
Rocket looked to the others, ears twitching in confusion. Gamora nudged him forward.
"Me?"
Peter nodded. "The rest of you...go away."
"I am Groot!" The little tree said, his voice high pitched.
"He wants to come," Rocket said.
Peter nodded. "Yeah...he's fine." It's not like Groot would be able to tell anyone. "Everyone else; Go."
He led Rocket and Groot back to the restroom, shuffling inside after them and locking the door.
"What's'a matter with ya, Quill?"
"You...can you read theses for me?" Peter reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out three small, rectangular boxes. He shoved them into the raccoon's hands and looked away, sitting down with his back against the door, not bothering to face Rocket and look into his eyes.
"Quill?"
"I, uh...I picked them up on our last stop...told the guy I'd been sleeping around with some girl and she got curious...He woulda never guessed they were for me. I can't read in that language, though...I know you can. 'Cause you're smart..." The human pulled his knees up to his chest.
"Quil...do ya really think that--"
"Yes. Just--shut up and tell me what I'm supposed to look for in the results. Nothing else." Peter's voice quavered as he spoke.
Rocket gave him a skeptical look, but nodded, not making any kind of jokes or snide remarks at Peter. Peter was thankful for that. Rocket understood this was a serious matter. For all he knew... his teammate could be housing a child inside of him...
And they'd just gotten back from a mission that actually turned out a bit dangerous. That was actually alarming to the Raccoon. If Peter's suspicions were true, they could've put him in a very dangerous situation.
He placed the boxes on Peter's knees. "I'm guessing you, uh, know how to take the test?"
Peter nodded, face flushing red; He still refused to look at the raccoon.
"Well...then you do that."
"And?"
"If there's a green check on the tiny screen: congrats, you're a momma...If there's a pink X, better luck next time..?"
Peter stood up, snatching the tests before they could hit the floor and shuffling over. Rocket turned to face the wall, giving Peter some privacy.
"It shouldn't take more than 10 minuets, if that helps."
"It doesn't," Peter said, though his voice was shaky.
"Yeah...I know...you know, that's like staring a whole new chapter of your life, or some sentimental shit like that...things will never go back to being the same."
"Rocket, you aren't helping."
"Sorry..."
"Really," Peter zipped up his fly and set the last test down. "I don't think coming close to death is half as scary as this..."
He washed his hands and sat back down, leaning his back in the door and sighing. He was scared, deep down on the inside, he was screaming.
"How would something like that even happen?" Rocket asked, sitting on Peter's bent knees.
"Well. Remember when we left? How I told you and Gamora that you were ruining something important? Well Ronan and I had been--"
"I don't want to know anymore!" Rocket put a hand over Peter's mouth. "Shhh."
They sat in silence for several minuets, Peter with his head down, and Rocket and Groot crowding his lap.
"Guys, I'm really fucking scared." Peter whimpered, breaking the silence.
"I am Groot," Groot croaked, wrapping himself around Peter in a hug.
"Yeah, Pete. We're here for ya." Rocket confirmed, patting Peter's shoulder. "Anyways, you're the legendary Star-Lord. Ya ain't scared of nothin'."
Peter let out a light chuckle. "Thanks, dorks."
"It ain't a problem, Pete. Y'know, you can always count on us for anything."
"Yeah, except I wouldn't exactly trust you with anything," another sigh escaped the Terran, and then they fell back into an uncomfortable silence.
"Well...it's been ten minuets...here goes nothing."
He swiped the tests off the counter and brought them down to eye level to look at them.
Rocket's fur bristled at the uneasiness and tension in the room as Peter stared, eyes transfixed, down at the pregnancy tests. It was a brief moment of 'calm-before-the-storm', but Rocket could already see the tears forming in Peter's eyes right before the chucked the tests down at the floor and wailed.
"They're all green!"
Groot wrapped his arms tighter around Peter as the Terran began to sob. From the sounds he was making, someone would think he'd gotten shot. Rocket's ears folded back and he winced. He never knew Peter's vocal range could reach such high frequencies...
There is an actual child inside of the man directly in front of him. A real child. It's a lot to take in, even for Rocket. He winced again at another high pitched cry from Peter. That man was going to burst his eardrums.
Peter pulled his knees up, moving Rocket along with him. The raccoon settled on the man's kneecaps and reached out, pulling Peter's head closer until it rested snugly against his clothed chest and belly. Rocket wasn't the best at the whole comfort thing, but he knew that Peter needed whatever comfort he could get right now, even if that included having his head cradled and hair petted by Rocket Raccoon. There was a tiny feeling of humiliation coursing through Rocket's nerves, but it was quickly swallowed by a different feeling. A feeling foreign and strange to Rocket.
Protectiveness.
Protect Peter's body. Protect the unborn kid he'd just found out about two minuets ago. Protect the stupid Terran dork that was currently bawling his eyes out against Rocket's stomach.
Rocket's tail flicked in irritation.
Why the sudden protective feeling?
Sure, that was a future life, but it wasn't in his nature to protect unborn children and their parent. Wasn't that something that females did? Protect each other and babies?
It took a long while before Peter had no energy left to sob his heart out. Now, he'd opted for gasping and hiccuping, his head still rested against Rocket's stomach.
"Can't tell if those are happy tears, or..."
"They're s-sc-scared t-tears bec-ause I'm sc-scared!" Peter stuttered, lifting his head to wipe at the new tears that began to fall.
"Quill. Ya look like ya need a good, long nap. You've been crying forever."
It was true. His eyes were red and puffy, he didn't look like he could keep them open for long, and he kept yawning in between his shaking breaths and hiccups.
"B-but, Ronan, I don't w-wa-wan-- t' see h-him--" He rested his head against Rocket again.
The fuzzy animal thought for a moment.
"Would ya wanna come sleep in mine and Groot's room?" He asked, awkwardly petting the strawberry-blone hair that was sticking up in every direction against his chest
Peter said nothing, but nodded against Rocket's belly.
"Well, c'mon then," he lifted Peter's head off of him and moved down to the floor.
Peter reluctantly stood, grabbing the tests and the boxes (evidence), and stuffing them into his jacket pocket. No one else needed to know. Not now. He would trust Rocket to keep his secret between them and Groot.
He felt awkward, though, trailing after Rocket with Groot walking beside him. The tiny tree reached up, holding on to Peter's pale hand as they trudged into the room.
The room was strange. Instead of carpet, there was a soft, dry and green moss growing along the floor. Along the plain gray walls were vines with vibrant green leaves, growing up and in every direction. The vines framed the window, the bed, and even the door. And soft pink flowers grew here and there. It reminded Peter of a small jungle, almost.
It was nice and cool, and carried a refreshing, outdoors-y smell that he couldn't get on Knowhere. It was comforting.
But, like Rocket had said, he'd been crying for a long time. He desperately needed a nap.
"Go ahead and use the bed. It's been untouched since forever. Neither of us use it." Rocket said, nudging Peter in the direction of the bed.
He nodded and made his way forward, collapsing on to the bed and yanking off his boots and jacket and taking off the holsters that were strapped to him. He finally settled down, burying himself under the covers after several minuets. He was also too tired to care about sleeping in his uncomfortable clothes. He could change into something more comfortable after he was rested.
Rocket put whatever good food he could into a paper bag, then rummaged around in the fridge for something non-alcoholic for Peter to drink.
"Where is Peter?" Ronan questioned. He'd been sitting at the table with the others, listening to Gamora tell them about the mission.
"He ain't feeling good. It's best to leave 'im alone right now," Rocket replied.
"I want to see him."
"I just told ya he's sick," the raccoon rolled his eyes and returned back to his room.
Peter had changed into something more comfortable since his waking. A black shirt and gray sweatpants. He'd sent Rocket our to get food for him, seeing a s he was extremely hungry after crying and sleeping for hours.
He was sat on the bed, having a somewhat one-sided conversation with Groot when Rocket returned with food for him.
"Thanks buddy...I just don't think I can face anyone else right now."
"Yeah, well, when are ya gonna tell big blue and angry out there?"
"Which one?" Peter joked.
"I'm bein' serious, Pete. Ya gotta tell him soon."
Peter sighed. "I know, but...it's not easy. Be glad that I trusted you enough to know."
"Your dumbass couldn't read, that's why I know," Rocket said, climbing on to the bed beside Peter and dropping the bag in the man's lap. "The only thing we got that ain't alcoholic is water," he handed Peter a water bottle. "We can get ya some juice or something later."
"No beer?"
"Like hell are you drinking beer! Ya ain't touching anything alcoholic for a long time."
Peter pouted. "That's not fair."
"You shoulda thought about that before you did the nasty with your big blue boyfriend!"
"Hey! It's not my fault!" Peter flicked Rocket's ear.
"I'm just messin with ya, but really. No beer, no alcohol. It's dangerous."
Peter nodded and sighed. "Well...this is gonna suck."
He ate his food, already knowing that it probably wouldn't stay down for long. But he was hungry, and he was going to stuff his face until he couldn't eat anymore.
The next few days became a cycle of Rocket running to retrieve food and water for Peter several times a day, while Peter curled up in bed and refused to leave unless he had to use the restroom.
Sometimes he would venture out to get some extra snacks when everyone was asleep, luckily avoiding the others. More specifically, Ronan.
He wanted nothing more than to cuddle into the Kree's arms and be held, but he knew that his secret would slip up no matter how hard he tried to keep quiet.
What would Ronan say? What would he do? Would he even want the kid? Would he still want Peter? Was he parent material? Were the two of them even responsible!?
Peter, curled up in the bed, began to cry softly. He didn't want Ronan to leave him. He didn't want Ronan to hate their kid, either.
"Quill?" Rocket clambered up on to the bed. "I can hear ya cryin, ya know?"
Peter flopped over on to his back and continued sniffling.
"Enjoy laying like that while you can," Rocket said. "In a few weeks ya ain't gonna be able to lay like that anymore. The extra weight'll harm ya spine."
"I don't want to get fat, either!" Peter sobbed out.
"Ya ain't gonna get fat, Quill."
"Yes I am!"
Rocket rolled his red eyes. "Ya ain't. There's a difference. If ya get big, it's cause ya got somethin growing inside of ya!"
Peter only responded with a groan.
"It's true. Ya ain't gonna get fat." He curled himself up beside Peter, resting his head on the man's chest. "And even if ya did, that only means there's more of ya for Ronan to love."
And; Several hours later found Peter creeping out of the room to grab a snack and a drink.
It didn't turn out to be the best idea, seeing as Ronan was sitting in the kitchen at the moment. Peter freaked as soon as they made eye contact, and fled as if Death herself was chasing after him.
He completely ignored the Kree's calls of "Peter! Wait!" And sprinted back to Rocket's room, shutting the door behind him.
The heavy footfall that followed let Peter know that Ronan had come after him.
"What happened?" Rocket asked, lifting his head.
Groot stepped out of the room and stood directly in front off the door, shooting a high-pitched and angry "I am Groot!" at Ronan. He held his arms out to keep the Kree from coming any closer to the door.
Peter let out a whine.
Rocket knew exactly what that whine meant.
It was Peter's "I'm uncomfortable with the current situation and if it doesn't change soon for my benefit I will wring your furry little neck so, Rocket, please fix it; Now" whine.
The raccoon's tail fluffed up in irritation and he, too, stepped out of the room.
"Go away, Ronan! Ya scared him and he ain't coming out any time soon."
"But--why!?" The Kree let out a growl. "I need to see him."
"I am Groot!" The tree squeaked up at the large man. "I am Groot! I am Groot!"
"He still ain't feeling better! He almost puked on me earlier, twice! Leave him alone."
"I haven't seen him in days!" Ronan argued.
"And he ain't wanna see ya right now. Are ya gonna force him to do somethin he don't wanna do?!"
"...No."
"Then go on! Get outta here!"
"Why are you keeping him from me!?" Ronan took a threatening step forward and grabbed for Rocket, who swiftly jumped out of the way.
"I ain't keeping no one from you! I already told you, Peter doesn't wanna see you right now! Just look at you!" Rocket snorted, dodging as Ronan tried to grab him again. "You're being all scary and stuff. Ya look like ya wanna skin me alive right now," he ducked under Ronan's arm, "You'll probably scare Pete into next week."
"He is not afraid of me!"
"Not yet he ain't."
Ronan let out another frustrated growl, but turned to leave.
With a triumphant smirk, Rocket turned and made his way back in to the room.
"Look, ya really gotta tell Ronan. He's gonna tear the whole building up in rage soon. Besides, isn't this the kind of thing you're supposed to tell him as soon as you find out!? Why are you hiding from him?" The raccoon skittered over and hopped on to the bed, laying down.
Peter, too, laid down, using Rocket as a pillow. "I just...don't know what he'll think or say. What if he doesn't even want a kid!? What do I do then!?"
"Dump him," Rocket yawned, draping his tail over Peter's shoulder. "Even if you two don't make it, you always got the rest of us to help you out."
"Thanks, Rocket."
"Ya ain't gotta thank me. You're so sentimental."
Peter shrugged. "I've always been like that."
"I know. And now you should be sleeping. What the hell are you even doing up this late?"
"I was hungry."
"Yeah, well...make sure your angry boyfriend isn't out there next time. Some of us actually want to sleep through the night."
The next time Peter crossed paths with Ronan, the Kree cornered him. Literally. He trapped Peter in the corner, an arm on either side of him, and angrily demanded to know what was happening.
Peter did the only thing he really knew how to do;
"Rocket! Rocket!" He called out for his close friend and apparent protector. "Rocket!"
Instantly, the small mammal appeared, Groot sprinting after him. He clambered up Peter and balanced himself on the man's shoulder, snarling at Ronan.
"I thought I already told ya to leave him alone!"
Ronan growled, not letting up.
"He's avoiding ya for a reason, just let him go!"
"I have done nothing! I have not seen him in weeks, and I have not been able to have a decent conversation with him since he's been back!"
"You're makin' him uncomfortable!" Rocket snapped. "Ya got him trapped against the wall and you're practically breathing down his throat! And you expect him to come out and talk to ya!?"
"Why do you care!?" It was unlike Rocket to defend Peter in such a way.
"'Cause I just do. And at least I ain't scaring him, either!"
Ronan said nothing more, dropping his arms and watching with a hint of sadness as Peter sprinted away.
He just wanted to know what was wrong with Peter.
"You're telling him. You aren't going to keep this from him any longer."
"But--"
"No. It's been three weeks, you need to tell him already! And you should get real help! I ain't a doctor, and I can't really help ya out! He's gonna notice, sooner or later, anyways."
"Fine then! Fine...I'll tell him tomorrow...just leave me alone."
Rocket looked up at Peter. "If you don't tell him by the end of tomorrow, I will."
"No, you--"
"Actually...I think it might be best if we told the whole team..."
Peter paled at that. "Wh-why?!"
"It'll keep you safer in the future. Trust me. The sooner they all know, the better."
"O-okay..."
Tomorrow came too fast.
Peter sat in one of the kitchen chairs nervously, his knees pulled up, covering his slightly curved belly. He had began to grow, in the slightest bit; but lucky for him, it wasn't a really big difference. Not unless he was wearing super tight clothes or someone was specifically looking for it. He looked down, avoiding looking directly at the others who were filing into the room.
Before any of them could say anything, Rocket hopped up on the table and held up a paw to silence them.
"This here idiot's got something to tell ya."
They turned expectantly to Peter, why shrunk down on himself.
"I-I...I..." He couldn't get the words to come out. They stayed frozen in his throat.
"What is wrong?" Ronan took a step forward, but nothing else. He waited for Peter to speak, but the Terran said nothing more.
Peter swallowed. "I...I...I can't." He turned to Rocket, blinking his large green eyes that were quickly beginning to fill with tears.
The raccoon face palmed, "I always gotta do EVERYTHIN' for you!"
Peter sniffled.
"Peter's pregnant."
"What?" Gamora was the first to speak. "What do you mean?"
"I mean he's pregnant. He's got a child inside of him. A miniature Star-Dork. We confirmed it multiple times." Rocket said. It was true Peter had taken a handful of other tests (how he got them, rocket doesn't know) but they all came out positive. "And he didn't wanna tell any of ya, so I've been putting up with his bitchin for almost a month!"
Ronan ignored Rocket's comment, instead giving his full attention to Peter.
"Peter...is this true?"
"Yes," the Terran whimpered, reaching up to wipe at his eyes.
"This is a joyous discovery," Drax said, reaching to clap Peter on the back lightly. "You should rejoice, Peter!"
Gamora smiled softly down at Peter when he looked up. "Quill, This is great!"
Ronan, grinning widely, dashed over, lifting Peter out of the chair and whirling him around. "Peter! This is a magnificent discovery! You are with child!"
"Stop! Stop!" Peter cried out. "Put me down or I'll puke on you!"
Ronan set him down, but kept his arms secure around Peter.
"Why didn't you tell me as soon as you found out!? Is this why you've been hiding from me!?"
Peter gave a shameful nod. "I'm sorry. I was just...scared. Really, really scared. I didn't know how you'd react--if I would've known that you'd actually smile, I would've told you as soon as I knew!"
"You his because you were scared of my reaction?"
"When you say it like that, it sounds dumb!"
Ronan nuzzled the side of Peter's face, holding him close as the Terran blushed.
"How long have you known?"
Peter pulled back slightly, not wanting to be completely swaddled with so much affection at the moment. "Well, I stated having suspicions right before we got back...then I kinda confirmed it, so...for about three or four weeks?"
"How long will this last?"
"Well...back on Terra, they normally last for, like, nine months...so I'm guessing it's going to be the about same?" He wiped the last of his tears away.
"And where are you now?"
"Just about three months."
"How--"
"Ronan!" Peter let out an annoyed huff and pried himself from the arms of the Kree, "This isn't twenty questions!"
He didn't mean to be a bitch, but he wasn't up for answering so many questions. He had thrown up three times this morning, and Ronan had just jostled him about, so he was betting on that count going up to four, and he hadn't even wanted to tell the team, but Rocket had made him, and he just wasn't feeling all that great today...
"I apologize," he stepped forward to hug Peter again, but Peter ducked under his arms and sprinted to the bathroom to empty his stomach again. Ronan and Rocket followed after him, to make sure he was alright.
"Ugh, I feel like shit today!" Peter groaned, rubbing at his temples.
"Yeah...ya look it, too...maybe you should go take a nap." Rocket suggested, patting Peter's shoulder.
Peter nodded, getting up to was his mouth out.
"Where're ya sleepin?"
"With Ronan," Peter mumbled. "Haven't slept in my own bed in weeks..."
Rocket nodded, "Well...my room is always open if ya decide ya wanna rest elsewhere."
As Rocket left, Ronan stepped forward to hoist Peter into his arms, bridal style.
"Warn a guy before you go around snatching them up," Peter grumbled, rolling his head back to sigh. "You don't need me puking all over you."
"You cannot help it if you are sick," Ronan pointed out, entering their shared room.
He set Peter down in the center of the soft bed, arranging the pillows and blankets into a comfortable form around him.
"You aren't upset, or angry?" Peter asked.
"Why would I be angry? This is an amazing discovery! Peter, you can bear children!"
"Yes, but...I'm just really confused. Why did it take so long to happen, after so many years, and how are the two of us going to raise a child? You know, assuming that everything goes right. We are not fit to be responsible parents."
Ronan slipped into the bed, pulling Peter close and tangling their limbs together.
"We will be fine. And we will get through this, responsible or not. I am not angry or upset with you, and you should really rest. You look like you need it."
Peter nodded and cuddled closer to Ronan, letting well-needed sleep overcome him.